Apparatus for restraining animals



Jan. 18, 1966 J. E. SAUVAGE APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS 5Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed July 20, 1962 INVENTOR. #17%. EAUX/AEEJan. 18, 1966 J. E. SAUVAGE 3,229,324

APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS Original Filed July 20, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. uam E. EMA EE Jan. 18, 1966 J. E. SAUVAGEAPPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July20, 1962 INVENTOR. JD' E. EAU E Jan. 18, 1966 E. SAUVAGE 3,229,324

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Jan. 18, 1966 J. E. SAUVAGE APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July 20. 1962 INVENTOR. JUgN e. SAUVAGEUnited States Patent O 3,229,324 APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS .lohnE. Sauvage, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Swift 8L Company, Chicago, Ill.,a corporation of Illinois Original application July 20, 1962, Ser. No.211,306. Divided and this application Oct. 23, 1964, Ser. No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 17-1) This application is a division of copendingapplication S.N. 211,306 which was tiled July 20, 1962.

This invention deals generally with apparatus for restraining animals.More specifically, this invention deals with an apparatus forrestraining calves and sheep from movement while being stunned in aslaughtering operation.

Earlier equipment for restraining animals has generally involved asingle cushion or restraining means positioned at each side of theanimal wherein one or both of such means are moved inwardly to grip theanimal between them. Certain of these apparatus have involved theautomatic conveying of standing animal to a position between suchrestraining means. My earlier joint invention, described in co-pendingapplication S.N. 833,289, tiled August l2, 1959, now Patent No.3,051,984, discloses such an apparatus wherein one of the restrainingmeans is moved vertically at one side of a conveyor, and the otherrestraining means is pivoted inwardly and upwardly from the other sideof the conveyor so as to support the restrained animal upon one side.That apparatus, while having some general application to all specie ofanimal, has proven to be particularly adapted to restrain hogs. Thepresent invention is an improvement on my earlier invention insofar asthe restraining of sheep and calves is concerned.

Also, certain earlier apparatus, which did not include a conveyor forhandling the animals, involved the use of three separate pairs of animalengaging members operating to engage the body, neck, and head of ananimal whereby the head could be mechanically twisted to break theanimals neck. That apparatus was devised principally for handlingcattle. Due to the number of moving parts involved, such apparatus isrelatively expensive; and it is also subject to malfunction for the samereason. Additionally it is somewhat awkward to operate and thereforejustiiable only for large animals such as cattle, in that the positionof the animal within the restraining apparatus is critical if all of theelements are to engage the proper portions of the animal.

The former type of apparatus, having only two opposed side cushions,while admirably suited for restraining hogs where the head of the animalis thick and is held normally at about the same level as the animalsbody, has had serious drawback when used to restrain animals having headheld above the body level or of a dimension substantially less than thebody thickness. This is because such animals have been able to movetheir heads readily when their bodies have been engaged by such arestrainer. Since the object of restraining the animals to hold themimmobile while applying a stunning force to their head, it may be seenthat immobilization of the head is necessary.

Also, it has been found in apparatus employing a conveyor for moving theanimals therein, that many animals balk and will not voluntarily stepupon a moving conveyor. Thus diiiiculty has been experienced inadvancing certain animals, particularly sheep and calves, to therestraining means in such apparatus.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide an improved apparatus to obviate the aforementioneddisadvantages of the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide Fice animproved apparatus for restraining a sheep or calf whereby the head ofthe animal is held immobile separately from the body of the animal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for restraining sheep and calves wherein there is lesstendency of the animals to hesitate when moving into a position wherethey may be restrained.

It is a still further object of this present invention to provide animproved apparatus for restraining sheep and calves wherein the head andbody of such animal are eliectively restrained by a minimum number ofmoving elements.

Basically the method of the present invention involves moving an animalunder its own power to a location where it is restrained against asingle fixed member by applying two separate forces against the head andbody of the animal from a side opposite said member. The animal is thenrender-ed unconscious while so restrained, and while it is beingrendered unconscious the support beneath the animal is moved outwardlyfrom that location so that when the forces are released the animal willfall and be conveyed away from the area at which it was restrained.

One form of apparatus for carrying out the method of this inventioncomprises .an intermittently movable conveyor and a fixed restrainingmeans located above one side of the conveyor at a given location. A pairof adjacent, separately movable restraining means are located above theopposite side of the conveyor `at the same location and areindependently movable kacross the conveyor toward the lixed restrainingmeans by a pair of separate actuating means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following speciiication in conjunction withthe drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view of the restraining apparatus withdischarge ramp removed;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus partly in sections,taken at line 2 2 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3'is a plan view of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram showing the present restrainingapparatus and the means to control its operation;

FIGURE 5 is a wiring diagram of the present apparatus and an electricalstunning instrument preferably used therewith; and Y FIGURE 6 is a sideelevation of a second embodiment of the restraining apparatus.

I have found that sheep and calves may be more readily restrained forstunning and subsequent slaughtering operations if they are caused towalk under their own power to the location at which they are to berestrained. According to my present invention such animals are urged towalk along a narrow path to a location deiined by a relatively iixed andstationary restraining means at one side of the path. When an animalreaches that location it is restrained against the stationaryrestraining means by applying separate froces against the head portionof the animal and the hind portion of the animal from the opposite sideof the path. These forces are applied across a suliicient distance toseparately and fully press both the head and body of the animal againstthe stationary restraining means whereby the animal will be unable tomove its head.

Thereafter the animal is rendered unconscious by applying a stunningforce to its restrained head. This is preferably done with an electricalstunning instrument to apply an electrical shock to the animals head fora time of a few seconds duration. However, any form of stunninginstrument such as a knocking apparatus may be used.

During the time that the animal is being stunned the path beneath theanimal is commenced to be moved outwardly away from the restraininglocation, preferably in the direction opposite that from which theanimal advances to the location. When the stunning is complete and theanimal is unconscious the two separate restraining forces aresimultaneously removed and the animal is dropped to lie upon the movingpath, and is thus conveyed away from the restraining zone. The animal isthereafter, and preferably within a very short period of time,dispatched by sticking, that is severing a portion of its neck or veins,whereby it will bleed' to expiration.

The preferred apparatus I have devised for carrying out this methodV maybe seen in the drawings. The restraining apparatus is supported within abox-like frame generally consisting of a plurality of upright members 11suppporting a horizontal bed 12 and a plurality of horizontal topmembers 13. An operators platform generally 14 is suspended outside ofthe frame generally 10 at one side and about 6 above the level of thehorizontall bed 12; and a side frame generally 15 is suspended at theopposite side of the frame generally 10 at the upper portion thereof.

An animal runway generally 17 comprising, in part, an endless conveyor18, trained about a pair of pulleys 19, 20 is supported upon thehorizontal bed 12 of the frame 10. Pulleys 19 and 20 are journaledWithin the horizontal bed 12, and there-beneath are located a belttightener roll 21 and an intermittently operable conveyor driveapparatus generally 22.

At one side of the runway 17 and spaced above the level of the endlessconveyor 18 is a stationary restrainer `means generally 25. Thestationary restainer 25 comprises a cushion 26, of foam material or thelike, mounted upon a rectangular plate 27 which is supported within theframe 10. Reinforcements 28 are provided on the back side of the plate27 and the cushion is covered with a surface material 29 preferably of aroughened belting material.

At the side of the runway 17 opposite the stationary restrainer means25, and at about the same levelabove the endless conveyor 18, arepositioned a pair of movable lhorizontal bed 12 to a top member 13directly thereabove.

The pair of movable restrainer means generally 32 may be of unequaldimensions as illustrated. The smaller movable restrainer comprises afirst cushion 35 for the head of an animal, mounted upon a plate 36having reinforcements 37 on its back side and a roughened beltingsurface material 38 stretched over the cushion. The reinforced side ofplate 36 also supports a horizontal middle brace member 39. A pair ofroller-ways 41, 42 extend outwardly from the plate 36 at each end of themiddle brace member 39. Each roller-way 41, 42 is constructed of steelangle members 43 and is held perpendicular to the plate 36 by a subframegenerally 44 which moves with the restraining means.

The roller-ways 41, 42 also ride upon a plurality of rollers 47rotatably supported at the forward ends (inthe direction of inwardmovement) of horizontal members 48, 49 of the side frame 15, so as to bereciprocable across the runway 17 toward the stationary restrainer means25. Similar rollers are also mounted on the rear ends of the roller-ways41, 42 and roll against the horizontal members 48, 49 to hold thesubframe 44 level throughout its path.

The larger of the pair of movable restrainer means generally 32 issimilarly constructed of a second cushion 52 mounted upon a horizontallymovable plate 53. The plate 53 includes reinforcing members 54 on itsback side and a roughened surface material 55 is stretched across thecushion 52. The plate 53 also supports a middle horizontal brace member56 from the ends of which a pair of roller-ways 58, 59 extendperpendicularly. The rollerways 58, 59 are each comprised of a pair ofangle members 60 supported by a subframe generally 61 attached to theplate 53 and movable therewith. The latter rollerways 58, 59 are alsoslidably supported upon a plurality of rollers 64 rotatably mounted inhorizontal members 65, 66 of the side frame generally 15 in the samemanner described with respect to the roller-ways 41, 42.

Each of the movable restrainer means generally 32 is thus supported tobe reciprocably movable, horizontally, toward the stationary restrainingmeans generally 25 at the opposite side of the runway generally 17. Thefirst cushion 35 is operated by a first actuating means general-- ly 69which is comprised of a pneumatic cylinder 71B the rear end of which isattached to a clevis 71 fasten-:ct to a channel member 72 extending fromthe frame generally 10. The forward end of the pneumatic cylinder 70 isdirected toward the plate 36 and is connected to the middle brace member39 thereon by its piston rod 73.

Similarly, the second cushion 52 is movable by a second actuating meansgenerally 75 comprising a pneumatic cylinder 76 attached to a clevis 77on a channel member 78 extending from the frame generally 10. Similarly,the middle brace member 56 on plate 53 is connected to a piston rod 79extending from the pneumatic cylinder 76.

At each side of the animal runway generally 17 extending the length ofthe restrainer means generally 25 and 32, and extending verticallybetween the latter means and the level of the conveyor 18, are a pair ofsheet metal guard members generally 81, 82. These guards are desirableas a protection against the animals legs slipping past the edge of theconveyor 18, particularly when the animal is unconscious and restingthereon.

Additionally, a longitudinal overhead rod 84 may be suspended above thecenter of runway 17, in a vertically adjustable manner, from theoverhead members 13 so as to prevent animals from jumping out of therestraining apparatus.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, at the forward or discharge end of theapparatus to which the unconscious animals are conveyed on conveyor 18 adownwardly inclined ramp generally 86, comprising a frame 87 and aplurality of rollers 88 journaled therein, is provided so that theanimals will leave the end of conveyor 18 and move from the apparatus bytheir own weight.

In FIGURES 4 and 5, the preferred system for operating and controllingthe restraining apparatus when used in conjunction with an electricalstunning instrument generally 90, such as one having spring-loadedprobes 91 which are designed to be pressed against the head of an animaland deliver an electric shock thereto, is shown. The details of such astunning apparatus and a similar electrical control system forcontrolling the duration of electric shock and operating a restrainerapparatus is described in detail in my co-ipending joint applicationS.N. 833,288, filed August 12, 1959, now Patent No. 3,055,046.

The spring-loaded probes` 91 of the stunning instrument generally aredesigned to close an internal switch 92 when suiiicient pressure isapplied to an animals head to insure .good electrical contact. As willbecome apparent upon studying the wiring diagram of FIGURE 5, the

vclosing of the switch 92 will both deliver electric current to thespring-loaded probes 91 and initiate actuation of the conveyor 18.

The stunning instrument 90 also carries two handoperated switches 93 and94 in its handle. Switch 93 is connected to cause the first and secondactuating means ygenerally 69 and 75 to move the restraining meansgenerally 32 to engage an animal. Normally the restraining means remainsin the engaging position for an established period of time after whichthey will automatically open. That period of time generally correspondsto the period necessary to render the animal sufficiently unconscioussuch as the period that an electrical current is supplied to the probes91. However, in case of malfunction or other unpredictable circumstancesthe switch 94 may be operated to override the control circuit and causethe restraining means to be opened.

The electrical control system generally, as seen in FIGURE 5, comprisesa transformer 97 for stepping up voltage supplied to the probes 9i, anda timer 98 operating through a holding relay lt. A timer actuator relay301 controls the period during which current is supplied to the primarywinding of the transformer 97, and thus the period of time during whicha shock is applied to an animal. A second timer 99 limits the period oftime that the restraining apparatus will remain closed upon an animalafter the stunning operation is commenced, as will be subsequentlyexplained. The second timer 99 permits the latter period to be variedsomewhat independently of the operation of the stunning instrument.

I have added to this control system a conveyor motor control generally193, comprising an additional timer M4 and a holding relay 165 toregulate the interval during which current is supplied to a motor M316of the conveyor drive apparatus generally 22 (as identified in FIGURE2). This interval normally commences when energy is supplied to thespring-loaded probes 91. As may be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, closing ofthe switch 93 will energize a restrainer actuating solenoid 10S which isconnected to move an air vale 169 to deliver air under pressure from asource, not shown, to a manifold lill connected to the rear of bothactuating means 69 and 75. This will advance pistons within thepneumatic cylinders 7i) and 76 to extend the piston rods 73, 79 andclose the restraining apparatus. At the same time the coil of holdingrelay l@ is energized to connect the coil of a timer actuator relay 101in series with the probe actuated switch 92. Upon closing the latterswitch, by pressing the stunning instrument 96 against an animal, thetime actuator relay 101 is energized to close a switch connectingourrent to the transformer 97, and thus to the probes 91; andconcurrently start the timing period of the stunning change timer 98 andrestrainer timer 99. Closing ot the switch 92 will also energize andclose the holding relay 165 of the conveyor motor control generally 103,and at the same time current is delivered to conveyor motor 106.Actuation of the latter relay starts the timing period of motor controltimer 104.

When the restrainer timer 99 automatically breaks the electricalconnection to thee solenoid 19S the air valve 109 will move to connect amanifold 1];1 to the source of air under pressure and connect manifold116 to an exhaust line. This delivers air under pressure to the forwardside of pneumatic cylinders 70 and 76 to open the restraining means.Subsequently, the motor control timer 104 disconnects power to the motor165 after a period suicient for the animal to be moved from the end ofconveyor 18, and the cycle may then be repeated on the next animal.

A second embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGURE 6 wherein theparts of the apparatus corresponding to those elements already describedare designated by the same reference characters bearing prime exponents.In that embodiment the restrainer means 25 is slidably mounted in a pairof vertical tracks lill, H fastened to opposite upright members 11 ofthe frame generally An additional pneumatic cylinder 116 iS secured in avertical position to the frame Igenerally 1W and has a connecting rod117 attached to an assembly on the back side of plate 27. Separate pipelines, not shown, connect the pneumatic cylinder 116 to a source of airunder pressure so that the plate 27 and its cushion (not seen in FIGURE6) may be adjustably raised and lowered to any desired position. A pairof locking mechanisms generally 118 serves to secure the restrainermeans 2S at the selected elevation. The restrainer means 25', however,is not movable horizontally. This structure has the further advantage ofbeing vertically adjustable to accommodate a wider range of animal sizeswhich may vary considerably' between the sheep and calves.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention ashereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit andscope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed asare indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

Il. An improved apparatus for restraining animals, said apparatuscomprising: an endless conveyor trained along a given path; a stationaryrestraining means mounted Aat one side of path; a pair of moveablerestraining means mounted at the other side of said path opposite saidstationary restraining means; slide means independently supporting saidpair of moveable restraining means for reciprocal movement toward saidstationary restraining means; and actuating means connected to each ofsaid moveable restraining means for independently reciprocating saidmeans in unison.

2. An improved apparatus for restraining sheep and calves, saidapparatus comprising: a frame; an endless conveyor trained across thebottom of said frame; stationary guards positioned within said frameabove the edges of Said conveyor; a stationary cushion mounted withinsaid frame spaced above one side of said conveyor; a pair ofhorizontally movable cushions mounted within said frame above theopposite side of said conveyor, said pair of cushions being positionedside by side in line with said conveyor; slide means independentlysupporting said pair of cushions for reciprocal movement toward saidstationary cushions; and actuating means connected to each of saidmoveable cushions for independently reciprocating said cushions inunison.

3. An improved apparatus for restraining sheep and calves said apparatuscomprising: a frame; an endless conveyor trained across the bottom ofsaid frome; stationary guards positioned within said frame above theedges of said conveyor; a stationary cushion mounted within said framespaced above one side of said conveyor, said stationary cushion beingadjustably mounted so as to be positionable vertically at selecteddistances above said conveyor; means to raise and lower said stationarycushion within said frame with respect to said conveyor; a pair ofhorizontally moveable cushions mounted within said frame above theopposite side of said conveyor, said pair of cushions being positionedside by side in line with said conveyor; slide means independentlysupporting said pair of cushions for reciprocal movement toward saidstationary cushion; and actuating means connected to each of saidmoveable cushions for independently reciprocating said cushions in`unison.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,599,134 9/1926King 17-1 2,912,715 11/1959 Moss 17-1 3,051,984 9/1962 Hlavacek et al17-1 3,101,508 8/1963 Murphy et al. l7-45 SAMUEL KOREN, PrimaryExaminer.

LUCIE H. LAVDENSLAGER, Examiner.

1. AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING ANIMALS, SAID APPARATUSCOMPRISING: AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR TRAINED ALONG A GIVEN PATH; A STATIONARYRESTRAINING MEANS MOUNTED AT ONE SIDE OF PATH; A PAIR OF MOVEABLERESTRAINING MEANS MOUNTED AT THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PATH OPPOSITE SAIDSTATIONARY RESTRAINING MEANS; SLIDE MEANS INDEPENDENTLY SUPPORTING SAIDPAIR OF MOVABLE RESTRAINING MEANS FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT TOWARD SAIDSTATIONARY RESTRAINING MEANS; AND ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OFSAID MOVEABLE RESTRAINING MEANS FOR INDEPENDENTLY RECIPROCATING SAIDMEANS IN UNISON.